High Winds, Avalanche Danger Mark Montana Weather

Strong winds downed trees and power lines across the state while recent snowfall combined with the wind led to an avalanche warning for west-central Montana. The National Weather Service says a 119 mph wind gust was recorded at 4 a.m. Thursday by a wind gauge on the top of the visitor center at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park.

The West Central Montana Avalanche Center issued an avalanche warning for the mountains above 6,000 feet after up to 18 inches of snow fell on a very weak snowpack over the past couple of days.

Meanwhile, the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park was closed after an SUV-sized boulder fell on the road sometime early Thursday. Park crews used tractors to push the boulder off the road and reopened the road Thursday afternoon.